Truss type hanger for playground apparatus



July 30, 1957 l. HOROWITZ 2,800,949

TRUSS TYPE HANGER FOR PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed Feb. 26, 1954 I INVENTOR. ]5,ado -e ,Hzaro wjia rates asaaaaa runes HANGER rota PLAYGRQ-UN arranarus This invention relates to structural truss type V- hangers or cross-arms and is particularly adapted for use in connection with playground apparatus pumpers or sky skooter pumpers.

In playground and gymnasium apparatus where a pumper is provided the twist or torque resulting from the use of such devices is rather severe and accordingly pro vision must be made to reduce these stresses and strains on the parts to a minimum. This has been accomplished by the strength, design, distribution of load and general operativeness in the subject invention.

Obviously, if there is play at all in the vicinity of the pumper support there is a resultant loosening of the bolts, screws or other securing means. It has been found that the subject invention presents a sturdy construction not materially efiected by the usual Wear and tear experienced in conventional moving apparatus of this type.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sturdy and rigid pumper supporting construction and one easy to install.

Another object is to provide adequate means for securing the playground pumper to the support so as to allow for the maximum of freedom of movement.

A further object is to reduce the wear and tear on the operative elements of the support.

Still another object is to provide separable component parts of the apparatus to facilitate packing and shipping for ultimate assembly and installation.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a playground apparatus showing the pumper operatively attached and supported on my hanger or cross-arm.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the cross arm mounted on the apparatus top rail with the pumper standards indicated.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the same, While Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same construction.

In the drawings, where like reference characters denote like parts, the numeral it) refers to the top rail of the playground apparatus having end leg supports 12 and 14. The equipment includes the conventional swings 16 and 18, indicated in this view.

A pumper 2i sometimes known as a sky-skooter, is shown mounted on the top rail, as shown in Figure l, and is provided with dual seats 22 and 24 as well as the hand grips Z6 and 28. Also located on the downwardly extending pairs of standards 36 and 32 are the foot rests 34 and 36.

The standards are provided with enlarged heads 38 tent G and 40 having openings to receive bronze bearings 42 and bolts 44 whereby the hanger supports the standards and allows for oscillatory movement of the pumper. The operation of the pumper is well known, the seats reciprocating vertically and horizontally exhibiting simple harmonic motion.

The hanger or cross-arm casting comprises central head or apex 46, outwardly extending arms 48 and 50, having opposed flanges 54. A bushing receiver or collar 52 is formed on the ends of the arms 48 and to accommodate the bronze bearings 42 and bolts 44. A reduced flange 56 is formed under the head 46 creating a seat at all points coincident to the upper half circumference of the top bar rail 1%. Lateral strengthening ridges 58 are formed centrally of the top of the hanger, which with the flanges 54 and 56 give additional strength to the hanger without materially increasing the weight of the metal forming the casting. These flanges 54 and 56 provide an adequate load supporting means and the hanger or cross-arm is attached to the top rail 10 by welding or by bolts extending through the rail.

Due to the component parts of the apparatus being designed for easy installation it can be readily understood that these parts may be individually and collectively packed for shipping and assembled with little difiiculty at their destination. This eliminates the necessity of packing the entire apparatus in a single large unwieldly and cumbersome container.

It is apparent, from the subject invention, that the jumper is adequately suspended allowing for the maximum freedom of movement and the minimum of parts. Because of the design there is an equal distribution of load and the strain on the supporting arm is minimized.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited in the specific disclosure as shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but as broadly defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a playground apparatus including vertical end supports, a top horizontal bar connected to said end supports and an oscillatory movable member, means for supporting said movable member on said top bar, said means comprising a hanger secured to said top bar having outwardly and downwardly extending straight arms, said hanger having collars formed on opposite ends thereof each containing a bearing and bolt mounting the double upper end of said oscillatory movable member, said hanger having flanges formed on the sides thereof and welded to the top horizontal bar, and the parts of the flanges immediately adjacent the apex of the hanger be ing reduced forming a seat at all points coincident to the upper half circumference of the top horizontal bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,044,964 Bates June 23, 1936 2,517,207 Hugueny Aug. 1, 1950 2,598,618 St. Louis May 27, 1952 2,606,734 Magnuson Aug. 12, 1952 2,669,286 Rink Feb. 16, 1954 

